NAACP says coal-fired plants hurting low-income, minority areas

[Willinois]

An article detailing what we already know. The coal industry preys on the poor in both rural and urban areas.

NAACP says coal-fired plants hurting low-income, minority areas

Quote:Nearly half of Indiana coal-fired power plants are being called "top environmental offenders" in a report the NAACP released Wednesday, and the State Line Energy plant in Hammond was rated as the fifth-worst in the nation.

The organization's report, "Coal Blooded: Putting Profits Over People," also said the plants do significant and disproportionate amount of harm to low-income communities and communities of color.

Analyzing plants' emissions of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides and demographic factors of where the plants are located, the NAACP said "environmental justice scores" were given for each of the nation's 431 coal-fired power plants. The State Line electric generating plant was rated as the fifth-worst in the nation and the Michigan City Generating Station also received a failing grade. Two of the top three worst offending plants are in Chicago.

Unfortunately, our Democratic Governor in Illinois just signed a bill that adds to the problem. He approved subsidies and fixed rates to support a new polluting power plant on the southeast side of Chicago. Pat Quinn campaigned as an environmentalist. This flip-flop is a betrayal.

[jaxx]

What is Quinn thinking? I hope the people in that area do all they can to stop this.